I am glad that this drama did not have a tragic ending and all the characters in the end found their respective destinations. I was however expecting this episode to be slightly more dramatic and I definitely missed Salima tonight. I am not going to go into the details since I am sure a lot of people haven’t watched this last episode just yet but I have to say that I loved the last scene of this episode,  it was exactly like the first scene of this drama but things were completely different at this point. Chaudhry’s track did not have the dramatic ending we were all hoping it would have but ultimately it all boiled down to someone more powerful asserting his influence and getting things done by Chaudhry Nawaz in an entirely different way. I liked the addition of this new character in the end because it showed that not everyone at helm of affairs was like Chaudhry Nawaz. The way Chandni apologized to Sammi had to be the most poignant scene of this episode.

I have to admit that after watching the first few episodes of Sammi, I wasn’t actually blown away but it was the kind of drama which gradually grew on me for a number of reasons. The most important reason why watching Sammi and reviewing it has been an unforgettable experience is that after a long time I watched a drama which touched a lot of issues which truly matter especially in a time when most dramas focus only on one subject, it was a pleasure watching a drama like Sammi which tackled with number of important issues in an effective manner. The writer and director’s strong grip on all these tracks and their understanding of all the situations which were shown in the drama was the primary reason why I always found it easy to connect to all the characters and their stories. Every character had a story to tell and all these stories served a bigger purpose. They were meaningful and showed problems faced by women from different angles. I am glad that the writer did not stick to the theme of vanni alone but explored so many other topics. Whether it was Zarina, Zulekha, Salima, Naheed, Rashid, Chaudhry, Aalyan, Salar, Chandi, Naheed’s brother, Shahzaib, Waqas, Riaz, Ghulam Rasool and even Salima’s daughters, all these characters showed a certain mindset that exists not only in the remote areas but even in some of the most posh areas of our society.

The most beautiful aspect of Sammi were all the beautifully etched-out characters which translated their stories on screen so flawlessly that the messages they were putting forward were loud, clear and effective. Even the negative characters in the story were there for a reason and the writer used these characters to explain the reasons why these people feel the need to control and oppress others. Chaudhry Nawaz’s character was one such character and his son’s character showed how one person like Aalyan could change so much! Chaudhry Nawaz carried the legacy which his forefathers left behind, he never had reason to question the system because it suited his needs but his son was taught to put human beings above everything else, this lesson changed his entire perspective. What a beautiful message this was! It did not only show the change one person could bring about but it also showed the real purpose behind education. Zarina was another such person who was doing what everyone before her did until she had a reason to question the system. She also raised a son with slave mentality but when her son’s life was in danger, she started questioning all those pre-conceived notions. Same was the case with Rashid. Sammi’s story also changed only after she started questioning things around her. In my opinion all these tracks contained the message that we don’t always have to accept things the way they are, questioning the system and things which do not seem right is sometimes the first step in the right direction.

I can go on and on about all the wonderful messages this drama had but one message which most certainly stood out more than others for me was the way the writer asserted the importance of a woman’s consent during nikkah. I personally feel that this was the need of the hour since we see so many dramas nowadays in which forced nikkahs are readily accepted and are now a bad precedent being followed by many writers. The writer made this message even more powerful by showing the maulvis standing by women and repeatedly emphasizing just how many rights women have under Islamic law. It was refreshing watching these religious people stating these things in a very logical manner. I am glad the writer’s approach was very logical hence convincing.

The director Saife Hassan deserves due credit for executing Noor-ul-Huda Shah’s brilliant script faultlessly. The locations and the overall feel of the drama gave the story a more realistic touch. Also, it isn’t easy handling a script with so many different tracks but he did complete justice to all these tracks by giving them all ample screen time. I can’t appreciate the producers enough for investing in a project which had tons of educational value and did not bank on glamour to entice the viewers. All the actors involved (with the exception of Mawra Hocane) breathed tangible life into their respective characters by looking and playing the role impressively. Unfortunately, Mawra Hocane failed to do justice to her character and was the only actor who looked out of place because she looked and sounded too modern. Sammi’s track also had a powerful message but I believe that Naheed and even Rashid and Salima’s track was much more effective overall therefore many viewers who watched this drama hoping this would be Sammi’s story alone were disappointed. It was made quite clear in the first few episodes that the drama would be about much more than the story of one girl but even then some viewers did not tune into the show after watching the first few episodes because Sammi’s track alone wasn’t appealing enough. Also, this drama as a whole had enough substance to attract the viewers and could hold its ground even if it wasn’t named after one character.

Adnan Siddiqui played his character superbly, he always showed the soft side of Rashid even when he was supposed to be a bad guy which is why later on the change in his character was more believable. His overall look, dialogue delivery and body language was perfect throughout. Saman Ansari is turning out to be an amazing addition to the drama industry, she is continuously experimenting by opting for roles which are very different from one another and so far has been part of some really good projects. I absolutely loved the honesty and dedication with which Seemi Raheel played the role of Zarina. The fact that she has the perfect Punjabi accent definitely helped. Rehan Sheikh is another powerful actor who never disappoints the viewers. Chaudhry’s character was an important one for many reasons and no other actor could have played this role better than Rehan Sheikh. Naheed’s role was a difficult one to enact on screen but Nadia Afghan translated different shades of Naheed’s character perfectly right from the get-go. She portrayed Naheed’s insecurities, fears and most importantly her strengths effortlessly. Bilal Khan brought out the best in his character and made Aalyan’s character one of the best in this play. Everything about Bilal Khan’s portrayal was perfect, I hope we get to see him playing more inspiring roles in the future too. Haris Waheed proved just how versatile he is by nailing his role. Irfan Khoosat, Humera Ali, Beena Chaudhry and Malik Raza also played their roles really well. Sania Saeed and Ahad Raza Mir‘s performances as well as their on screen chemistry made their track even more powerful and easy to relate to. Madiha Rizvi is a personal favorite who always performs well and this had to be one of the best performances she has given in recent times. She completely owned her role as a woman who went from looking out for her own interests to someone who knew there was more at stake than her marriage or her child’s future. The child actor playing the chota chaudhry was also impressive throughout and his character was also interesting, especially the changes he went through were shown really well. The actress who played the role of Maryam also had great screen presence and I loved how her entire outlook fit so perfectly in the role.

Thank you team Sammi for all your hard work and for giving us an amazing play. I would especially like to thank all those wonderful people who read the reviews every week and shared their thoughts here, I truly value your feedback and look forward to it. Do share your thoughts about this last episode and the drama as a whole.

Eid Mubarak to everyone. Hope all of you have a wonderful Eid.

This had to be one of my most favorite episodes of Sammi simply because of the way some very relevant and powerful messages were delivered to the viewers through this installment. I am all for dramas which are solely entertaining but I truly appreciate the fact that different channels are taking an initiative to talk about things which are rarely discussed in dramas nowadays. Sammi is a nice break from the regular love stories and dramas dealing with shadi shuda zindagi ke masail. There are a lot of people out there who need to listen to all those things which Aaliyan said to his brother tonight, which maulvi sahab said to Naheed and even those which Chandni said to Sammi about her feelings for her brother. Although Sammi and Salar’s track is my least favorite one yet he is turning out to be someone who will eventually ‘educate’ Sammi about her rights. Having said that, I must add that I would have liked it a lot more if Chandni was shown as Sammi’s mentor. I must say though that I liked the way Chandni’s reaction to Sammi and Salaar’s growing interest in each other was shown; it was realistic and easy to connect to. Whatever we have seen so far suggests that Chandni is practical and not negative therefore I am waiting to find out how she will handle the situation when she overhears her son proposing to Sammi. Chandni’s character has been etched-out brilliantly, there are different shades to her personality and Sania Saeed brings out the best in her character like always! Ahad Raza Mir is also nailing his character; he has proven that he is a natural, love his confidence and body language.

I am certain that there are viewers out there who are educated and live in modern cities yet they face the oppression faced by women like Naheed, Sammi and even Salima. I am glad that this drama serial does not deal with one issue alone but is shedding light on many ways through which those people who are in charge oppress those who cannot defend themselves for various reasons. This drama also gives voice to all those women who do not have a voice of their own. My favorite parts of this episode were Chandni’s reaction to Sammi and Salar’s growing likeness for each other and the way Naheed’s track in particular was handled was beyond brilliant. Aaliyan’s character brings hope into Naheed’s world. The fact that she listened to him and went to talk to someone who could have given her a fatwa and mustered up the courage to show her brother what the maulvi sahab had to say went to prove that all she needed was more awareness and some support to get what was rightly hers. Her brother is being shown as one of those men who exploit religion and also use societal norms to deprive women. Aaliyan’s dialogues in this scene were penned down beautifully, another powerful message which needed to be spelled out! Naheed’s brother just like the Chaudhry is constantly judging others but never reflects upon his own actions. Bilal Khan fits the role he is playing and I am certain that Aaliyan will have a much bigger role to play in the future. Nadia Afghan is another actress who never fails to impress, it is a treat watching her perform every time.

Chaudhry’s meeting with Aaliyan was also an interesting addition to this episode. Yet again it showed the mentality of people like Chaudhry Nawaz and why learning English could not change his son’s mindset or his future! It was interesting watching someone like Chaudhry interviewing somebody like Aaliyan because the only reason why he was in this position was because he had more power, other than that Aaliyan was far more educated and enlightened. I can’t praise Rehan Sheikh enough for proving his versatility in every single role every time. Madiha Rizvi is also doing complete justice to her role, her expressions when Chaudhry was about to check the phone and later on the way she changed her body language to show the relief she felt after finding out it wasn’t Rashid’s phone were perfect! One of my favorite scenes in this episode was the one in which Sammi refused to take a big tip, it went to show how her confidence and feelings of self-worth changed with Chandni’s behaviour towards her. The scene in which Salar tells Sammi to repeat after him was a lot like Udaari therefore not too happy about that!

This is not the first time that Saife Hassan has worked with actors who are being seen for the first time in dramas therefore I am not surprised that he brought out the best in all these actors. The rest of the cast including Seemi Raheel is doing a terrific job. These performances are one of the reasons why it is so easy to connect to all the characters.

The preview of the next episode was exciting. I am waiting to see how Rashid handles the situation, whether Chandni’s attitude towards Sammi changes or not and how Aaliyan’s presence changes things in Chaudhry’s house. There is a lot to look forward to!

How many of you watched this episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

All the tracks in the story got sufficient screen time in tonight’s episode and so far the story is moving forward at a steady pace while covering all those little details which make it easier for the viewers to connect to the stories of all the characters. The scenes in the parlor have especially been directed really well. The presence of clients and everything Sammi does wrong when she is distracted gives these scenes a very real feel. In the past too we have watched some dramas in which women were shown running their own businesses but usually these coffee shops and parlors were not as busy as the one we are watching in Sammi right now and a lot of times the whole scenario seemed very staged as well because of this reason. These are minor details which make a huge difference. Also, the fact that all the different tracks in the story are interlinked makes this drama an interesting watch.

This episode opened with Sammi refusing to do pedicure because she thought she could do something better with her life. Sammi’s character is shaping up to be very interesting, I love the flashback scenes, they are poignant and they give the viewers an insight into the kind of relationship Sammi had with her family before she was abandoned by them. These scenes also make the viewers relate to Sammi’s frame of mind which was shown in the previous few episodes; there is a good reason why she had a tough time accepting the fact that her family members no longer cared for her and even after everything that happened, she was still planning to go back to Rahim Yaar Khan. In this episode however Sammi opened up about her “status” with Salar and did not show the desire to go back to Rahim Yaar Khan. Mawra Hocane’s acting was right on point in this episode. Her perfect portrayal is definitely making it easy for the viewers to connect to and feel for her character. Salaar and Sammi’s relationship with each other however is my least favorite part of this track because it is somewhat clichéd and you can’t help but wonder why someone like Salar would show so much interest in Sammi. It would have been so much better, if these two were just friends for now or if Salaar felt for Sammi more than anything else. Salar calling up Aalyan to learn about “Vani” was another aspect of this episode which was rather strange since he could have easily searched for the term on the internet! Aalyan and Salaar’s friendship however is another interesting part of this drama. Ahad Raza Mir and Bilal Khan both are confident actors and their roles are different as well.

Chandni and Sammi’s interactions have been written and directed faultlessly. Sania Saeed looks and acts the role almost effortlessly. Naheed decided to go ahead with the nikkah even without the consent of her brother. Naheed’s track has my undivided attention because it is the most unpredictable tracks in the story. Rashid’s mother definitely wants Naheed to get married to her son therefore I am waiting to see if she manages to blackmail Rashid into getting married to her and whether that happens before Naheed enters into a nikkah with Ghulam Rasool or later on.

Chaudhry’s conversation with Rashid’s mother clearly showed that he did not trust Rashid any more. I must say that Rehan Sheikh is one of those actors who never fail to impress. Every time he is on screen he makes his presence felt. Once again Chaudhry’s conversation with his son was the true reflection of the kind of mentality which produces men who think they own women.

Overall, this was another interesting episode of Sammi which was very well directed and acted out. Sammi has tons to offer and it keeps on giving me something to look forward to every week.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

This was another episode of Sammi which highlighted how weak are exploited by those people who have authority over them for some reason or the other. Chaudhry forced his brother into bailing Waqas out of the prison by threatening him and he finally got his way. Chaudhry’s wife wants to save her son at Rashid’s expense and Rashid like every other weak person in this play has accepted his status as a slave! The most interesting aspect of this play is that most of these people who are being pressurized into doing things which they would much rather not do are either dependent on the people who dictate to them financially or they fear that these individuals will take their support away if they disobey them. What Salaar said to Sammi when she was going to give him a pedicure summed up the message which this drama is attempting to convey to its viewers. People like Naheed, Sammi and even Rashid only choose to let others dictate to them because if they decide to free their minds and think of other ways out of the situations they are in then there are plenty of options. Although Chandni has been fair with Sammi but she has never gone out of her way to help her out therefore what Salaar said made perfect sense.

My favorite scene in this episode was the one in which Rashid’s daughter asks her mother all those questions which would go through the mind of any child who is exposed to a lot more information than she should be! Rashid’s wife’s silence and the way she kept on taking her frustration out while her daughter bombarded her with those questions made this scene so powerful. Saman Ansari’s expressions in tonight’s episode in particular were right on point. I absolutely love the outlook and acting of the actress who is playing the role of Mariam, I actually find myself looking forward to her scenes.

Another scene in this episode which was meaningful and well put together was the one in which Chaudhry’s son shares his dislike for English language. This scene showed that even with all his mother’s efforts to ensure that he does not become a part of the system, what he saw around him shaped up his personality more than everything he had studied in his books so far!! His father was his ideal and he saw the world with his father’s eyes. Madiha Rizvi is another actress who always does complete justice to all the roles assigned to her.

The conversation between Rashid and his wife revealed why he had to do Chaudhry’s ghulami even though he was educated. The fact that he went to college puts a lot of things in perspective because he always came across as someone who was slightly more groomed than other people around him. I am not sure how I feel about Salaar’s interest in Sammi just yet because if he falls in love with her then it would be somewhat clichéd. Sammi and Chandni’s interactions have been the highlight of this drama ever since these two met therefore I was looking forward to Chandni shaping up Sammi’s life more than anyone else but in this episode Salaar and Sammi’s interactions were the focus of attention. Chandni and Sammi did not interact in the same manner as they did in the previous episode.

The preview of the next episode showed Waqas telling Rashid to help him find the person who helped Sammi escape, this particular scene shouldn’t have been shown in the promo because it killed the suspense. Now we know that Chaudhry is not going to suspect Rashid. The preview also showed that Salaar for the first time will understand just how serious this whole situation was. I am also wondering if the video which he made today will somehow have a bigger impact on the story. I really appreciate the fact that there is no forced glamour in this drama because it wouldn’t have fit in. The locations are perfect for telling this story which gives the drama a realistic feel.

How many of you watched this episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

Chandni and Sammi’s track was the highlight of this latest episode. Aalyan’s (Bilal Khan) connection with Salaar (Ahmed Raza Mir) and the developments in Naheed’s track have broaden the scope of the story. Rashid’s mother’s latest discovery will also make this particular track even more complex. All the sub-plots in the story are interconnected and cover a great deal; it is not easy to write such a narrative and it must have been a daunting task for the director to do justice to all these tracks. So far, all the tracks are getting plenty of screen time and I must say that Sammi’s track in particular has my undivided attention especially after last week’s episode. Chandni’s character is beautifully etched-out and Sania Saeed has done complete justice to it. She is tough on the outside only; she is practical but also caring at the same time. She is seen complaining every now and then but she has taken responsibility for Sammi. Chandni made it very clear right at the outset that she was not going to ‘baby sit’ Sammi and in this episode as well she let Sammi pay for her own clothes. She taught her what she needed to know in order to earn money and she keeps on giving her sound advices which will help her grow into a strong individual but she is making sure that Sammi does not expect more from her. Chandni and Sammi’s track is balanced and has been written intelligently. Had Chandni gone out of her way to help Sammi then Sammi wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow and it might have been difficult to relate to. Mawra Hocane is well-suited for this character; she has been convincing as the naive girl who still thinks she might get to go home some day and also someone who has no identity of her own.

Naheed’s relationship with her nephew and Aalyan’s connection with Salaar was also an interesting part of this episode. Naheed asked Ghulam Rasool to marry her but the preview of the next episode suggested that her brother will reject this proposal. Nadia Afghan is another actress who always gives a solid performance. This was the first time that I watched Bilal Khan in a play and he did quite well in that one scene. Ahmed Raza Mir also gave a very steady performance in this episode especially for a newbie. It is always great watching new actors on screen who manage to do so well and make you look forward to more.

Rashid’s secret is out and I am waiting to find out how Chaudhry’s wife will cover up her tracks now. Seemi Raheel completely owns her role right from the beginning but sometimes she gets a little more screen time than is necessary. The scene in which Sammi cried and later on shared why she was crying was so meaningful. Even after everything that happened to her, she has not been able to hate her brother for it. She still thinks of him as the brother who she grew up with and who she thought loved her. Sammi’s parents on the other hand have not only forsaken her but now also blame her for not ‘protecting’ her brother.

This episode had some very important developments to its credit which laid down the foundation for what is coming ahead. Chaudhry was completely absent from tonight’s episode but the preview of the next episode suggested that he will be back with a big bang! Right now I am more interested in Sammi, Chandni, Salaar and Aalyan’s connection than anything else.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

The most important issue which is being highlighted in Sammi right from the first episode is the exploitation of women at the hands of men with the help and support of women who are their accomplice! Everyone who has power over these women in some context or the other abuses their position to use either their sister, wife, daughter or even an ex-girlfriend for their own selfish interests. One thing which stood out more than any other in this episode was the way Sammi has been completely disowned by everyone. There was a time not very long ago when Sammi had a mother, a father, a brother and a lot of relatives and friends. Now she has absolutely no one who wants to own her. The way her parents have disowned her completely was the most upsetting part of this episode. The only person who is looking for Sammi is someone who wants to destroy her.

Rashid could not care less what Chandni does to Sammi, he did what he was asked to do and now Sammi’s fate is in Chandni’s hands. Chandni’s dialogues were misleading in the previous episode therefore watching her run a parlor was a good twist in the story which also promises that there is hope for Sammi. Although Sammi’s new boss (maalik?) is a bitter person but she has taken up the responsibility of training Saami. Chandni threatened Rashid that she might do something terrible with Sammi but it seems highly unlikely that she would do something like that. Chandni’s character is the kind of character which grabs your attention instantly and it is even more interesting watching Sania Saeed nail this role. Sania Saeed is an exceptional actress who always highlights all the different shades of the characters she plays through her expressions and body language. Chandni is tough from the outside only and I am waiting to find out more about her past. Sania Saeed’s overall look goes perfectly with the character she is playing and the focus on how “kamina” she thinks Rashid is yet she cannot let him go completely was interesting.

Mawra Hocane played the scared and vulnerable girl who had no idea what fate had in store for her but was trying her best to survive perfectly in this episode. She looked innocent and scared in all the scenes which made me relate to her character more than ever in this episode. Also, it was good watching her wear clothes and sporting a hairstyle which went well with her character. I have a feeling that Chandni and Sammi’s relationship is going to be the highlight of this drama very soon.

The writer has etched-out Chaudhry Nawaz’s character brilliantly. His mentality is translated through his words, he has no problem calling someone who has been loyal to him for years his “paltu kutta”. He actually thinks that Rashid should take this as a compliment! He is so ignorant but he is incharge because he has the power and the financial resources. Rehan Sheikh and Adnan Siddiqui both are excellent performers, who makes their scenes even more impactful. I am waiting to find out how Rashid gets out of this situation.

The viewers also found out more about Nadia Afghan’s character in this episode. She is someone who spreads awareness and is considered an expert when she is at the clinic but when she is home she is also a vulnerable woman who is being exploited by her brother.

Overall, this was an interesting episode of Sammi. I like where the story is headed and there are plenty of tracks in the drama to keep the interest of the viewers alive as long as all these tracks are handled well. I must say though that this isn’t just Sammi’s story but it is the story of many women who are fighting different battles.

How many of you watched this episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

This episode opened with Chaudhry Fazal Din refusing to accept Sammi as his vani. His decision to take a stand even though Chaudhry Rab Nawaz tried his best to convince him to go ahead with the nikkah by giving him lectures on ghairat, was completely in line with his character but watching Rab Nawaz accept Sammi as Vani for his son instead of shooting her brother did not quite fit in. Also, it did make me wonder if Rab Nawaz was going to let Fazal get away with this? Surely someone like him who believed in forcing people into submitting to his will would use more than just words to have his way and if things still didn’t go according to his plans one would expect him to make an example out of the person who refused to listen to him. Rehan Sheikh is an exceptional actor who makes every scene count but this latest twist in the story came out of nowhere. So far the focus of the story is more on those people who are forcing their decisions on Sammi and how these decisions are shaping up the course of Sammi’s life. It would have been so much better if the viewers were introduced to Sammi’s character in detail in the first 2 episodes or so before starting the actual story. There was one scene in this episode in particular which showed how deeply the mindset that a girl should sacrifice everything to save her male relative’s life was engraved in Sammi’s mind. She begged Chaudhry to spare her brother’s life and was willing to do anything at all in return. This scene was short but impactful.

This episode had a lot of scenes which showed the selfishness of those people who were making these life altering decisions for Sammi. Watching Sammi’s brother worrying about the bruises on his face more than his sister was one such scene which said a great deal. Haris Waheed’s confident acting and his overall look makes me wish that we saw more of him before he killed his friend. Now he has a limited role to play in the story or so it seems. Sammi’s mother cursed her for not being able to save her brother’s life and her father who is responsible for all this just does not care!

Rashid is another person who is looking out for his own interests and he is another mard who claims to love his wife but he puts his own needs and desires first. Nadia Afghan’s character was introduced in tonight’s episode and she too appeared to be more “refined” than one would have expected her to be. Apart from Rab Nawaz’s wife, all the other women in this play worship their men and would gladly do anything for them.

Rab Nawaz’s definition of ghairat and the status of men and women was another interesting aspect of tonight’s episode. Rab Nawaz is ignorant but he is so sure that there is nothing wrong with his beliefs. His wife however does not want her house or child to be affected by whatever her husband believes in. She wants to educate her son and does not agree with her husband but she also knows that there is very little that she can do about the situation openly therefore she turned to Rashid for help. This development will change the course of the story completely. Watching Rashid’s daughters defending their mother was one of the best scenes of this episode.

So far, the good thing about this drama is that it has introduced the viewers to a world which is real for a lot of unfortunate people but completely alien to many of us who sit in front of the television screens and watch these stories unfold and it has managed to do so without getting too dull and depressing. Although all the tracks in the drama are serious and they highlight the status of women in such villages in some way or the other but even then the approach is simple therefore Sammi so far isn’t a very heavy duty drama.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

This second episode of Sammi laid down the premises of the play even more clearly and the story also moved forward this week. Tonight’s episode was also emotional and showed that it isn’t always the poor people who become victims of the judgments of the jirga but sometimes people like Chaudhry Fazal also suffer because they are not heartless like Chaudhry Rab Nawaz. Chaudhry Nawaz is an example of how absolute power corrupts absolutely. He wants his brother’s share of property and he also wants to make sure that he continues to exercise control over people. There is no one in the entire village who questions him and apart from his wealth, the power he exercises on people’s mind gives him the authority to pressurize people into doing things they wouldn’t do otherwise. It is definitely refreshing watching different kinds of characters in this drama, not everyone is evil or corrupt but some of these people are slaves to this system because they don’t know how to break free from it and there are others who dare to swim against the tide. It was good to see Fazal refusing to marry Sammi, this particular development was completely in line with his character and everything that we saw in these two episodes.

Tonight’s episode showed how there are people who can easily forget they ever had a daughter just to have their sons by their side. Sammi’s mother’s concern for her brother and the lack of concern for her daughter was a sad truth! At the same time the viewers got to see Marium’s mother, who might not have the energy to look after her daughters but was not ashamed of giving birth to daughters. Someone who even with all the negativity around her had the courage to tell her daughter that she preferred a daughter to a son. All these different characters show that we are not being shown stereotypes in this drama.

The viewers found out more about Rashid’s character and family in this episode. Zarina is Rashid’s mother which explains a lot! Rashid’s relationship with his wife and the conversation both of them had showed a different side of his personality.

The tragedy which had engulfed Fazal’s house and his life after his son’s tragic death was covered brilliantly in all the scenes. The flashback scene in which Pervaiz tells his father about Sammi was brilliantly placed. It showed how quickly everything changed for the worse and how helpless and sad Fazal and his wife were now.

Sammi’s OST is beautiful and deep, it would have been so much better if this OST was used in the background more. Watching Chaudhrani watch Sang-e-Mar Mar while Fazal’s wife was locked in the room and her husband was forced in the nikkah was an interesting addition! It showed how little the suffering of their own family members meant to them. The overall setting of this drama is perfect, the director has kept the originality of a village set up alive without adding details which would have made the drama more visually appealing and glamorous but difficult to connect to. It also looks like this story is not going to be about Sammi alone but every character has a story to tell and what makes the drama more interesting is that all these stories are interrelated. So far the story has been somewhat predictable but with so many tracks and so much which the writer is willing to explore there is always tons to look forward to. I felt more connected to all the characters after watching this episode. Adnan Siddiqui, Rehan Sheikh, Noor-ul-Hassan, Seemi Raheel, Haris Waheed, Humera Ali, Madiha Rizvi, the actress playing Maryam and the one playing Fazal’s wife completely look and own their roles. I am waiting to see more of Mawra Hocane and am quite sure that once her character starts getting more screen time she will make her presence felt. I do hope that her outlook changes with her situation and we see more from her than crying and pleading.

The preview of the third episode suggested that the story will take an interesting turn with the next episode but in my opinion the preview was too detailed. Nadia Afghan’s character will also be introduced in the upcoming episode. Sammi has enough content and tracks to keep the viewers engaged, I am waiting to see how these tracks are handled in the upcoming episodes.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

This episode had a lot of important developments to its credit and quite a few scenes which were very touching. Also, like all the previous episodes of Sammi this one too was packed with some powerful and positive messages. All the characters in this drama have come a long way, this change has been shown gradually and realistically. Aalyan played a major role in changing the way Sammi had been handling her situation so far. Rashid has always been shown as someone who was quite capable of feeling for people around him therefore watching him regret everything he had done and trying to help Sammi in some way did not come as a surprise. So far the main motivation behind Zulekha’s actions has been to ensure that Chaudhry does not get married to Sammi but the preview of the next episode suggested that Chandni might be able to bring about a change in her way of thinking too.

Right from the beginning the writer had made it quite clear that all the characters in this drama are in their respective situations mainly because of their mental barriers. Although most of them are quite capable of breaking free from the shackles of the system and those people who do not let them live a life on their own terms and conditions, but they do not even attempt to do things differently. Sammi did something tonight which was brand new for her, she decided to speak up for herself. Although there isn’t much she can do practically to change her situation right now but the fact is that if she decides to stand up for herself, the Chaudhry will automatically lose his grip on her. Right now, Chaudhry Nawaz is very conscious about his “reputation” which is why in the previous episode he asked Zulekha to cover up for him when the press questions him about his actions regarding Sammi therefore there is a good reason why Sammi’s newfound confidence will be a big hurdle in the way of his plans.

The scene which covered Sammi’s meeting with her family was written beautifully. Sammi had very little time to get her message across and she definitely managed to give her father and brother something to think about. Even though Mawra’s outlook, just like always, proved to be a big distraction but even then that scene was very impactful. My most favorite part of this episode however was Rashid’s track and the turn it has taken. The change in Rashid’s personality and the way he stood there holding the gun to make sure that Sammi’s family listened to her showed he was on Sammi’s side now. Rashid’s meeting with Chandni was also extremely emotional. The dialogues, the performances and the way this scene was directed was very impressive.

Aalyan has always played a positive role throughout, right from the get-go he was introduced as someone who wasn’t afraid of anyone and someone who chose his battles wisely and fought hard to win them with logic and reasoning. His support saved his phupo’s life, his words brought about a major change in Sammi and he has made a big difference by changing the mindset the chota chaudhry was raised with. His character shows how one person can be the torchbearer of change. Naheed’s conversation with Aalyan was also beautifully penned down and executed flawlessly. Love how all these wonderful actors have completely transformed themselves to fit into their respective roles.

Naheed and Salima’s scene in the hospital was another impactful scene of this episode. I am waiting to see a change in Salima’s character. Even though Rashid assured her that he did not want a son but Salima is convinced that only a son can open the door of happiness for her family.

This was another well put together episode of Sammi which had a lot to offer. The preview of the next episode was very enticing as well.

How many of you watched tonight’s episode. Do share your thoughts about it.

This was another impressive episode of Sammi which showed many different ways in which people are treated like commodities and they are deprived of their basic rights – the most basic right being the right to life and the right to freedom of action. Although this episode had tons of powerful messages which were put forward in a very subtle manner but my most favorite part was the one which covered the importance of a woman’s consent at the time of nikkah. We have seen many dramas in which women were forced into a nikkah most often by men who abducted these girls but not once did anyone mention that such a nikkah was not valid in the eyes of Allah. It was definitely something that needed to be highlighted, everything that the maulana sahab said in tonight’s episode was loud and clear and his refusal to be part of a nikkah in which a girl wasn’t willing to enter was my favorite part! I love how the writer in different ways keeps on highlighting the fact that Islam has given women a lot of rights. Salima’s dialogues that Allah was as much hers as He was Rashid’s was right on point! In the previous episode Naheed went to get a fatwa from the maulana sahab and whatever she found out clearly showed that she had a right over her parents’ property as well. I am glad that the writer reached out to the people by involving religion in this debate.

All the tracks are getting more interesting with every passing episode. Naheed’s nikkah was also an important development in this episode. Her conversation with Ghulam Rasool after they got married was so meaningful. They had done nothing wrong yet Ghulam Rasool was still insecure because someone who had been rejected all his life had a difficult time believing that for once he was accepted by someone. Also, the question he asked when Naheed said they would have children highlighted his own fears. Naheed and Ghulam Rasool’s relationship has to be one of the most perfect unions in this drama yet they have to hide their relationship. I never thought I would find myself rooting for an on screen couple like this one but here I am wishing and hoping that both of them get to live a happy life together in the end even if it means running away and starting a new life in a different city. Their dreams are legitimate but Naheed’s brother would much rather marry her off to someone who he can benefit from in some way too. Nadia Afghan is a personal favorite, she is one of those very few actors who can do comedy and serious roles both. I also like the actor who is playing Ghulam Rasool’s role, he is doing complete justice to the role assigned to him. The credit for this goes to the director as well and also the person who chose the cast. It is always good to see new actors in dramas who perform well.

Rashid and Salima’s track once again showed how Salima kept on trying to make Rashid understand that she could not bear any more of his children and Rashid’s frame of mind was also translated on screen brilliantly through his thought process. He wants a son only to please his mother! Rashid’s character is very interesting, he comes across as a person who might have a mind of his own but his sole purpose in life is to please the Chaudhris and his mother. He loves Salima but until she gives him a son they cannot have a normal relationship! Adnan Siddiqui has portrayed all the shades of his character impeccably on screen; his get up and acting both are perfect. I truly appreciate the fact that Saman Ansari is always experimenting with different roles which are never run-of-the-mill and she also has a very unique acting style.

Sammi and Chandni did not have a lot of scenes in this episode but the opening scene pretty much summed up Chandni’s state of mind and later on Salar’s proposal proved to be the final nail in the coffin. The opening scene was directed and acted out brilliantly. I absolutely love Sania Saeed in this role. Chandni has always made sure that Sammi stays within her limits and now that she can see that her son is showing interest in this girl, she wants to tell Salar and Sammi both that they come from two different worlds. She especially wants Sammi to know her “aukat”.

This episode ended with Rashid asking his mother for another “chance”! The preview of the next episode showed Chandni kicking Sammi out of her house and Rashid finally finding out where Sammi is. Haris Waheed is another actor who has always made his presence felt because of his realistic portrayals, I remember he was very convincing in Alvida and here he is playing a completely different role yet he seems to pull it off almost effortlessly. I am waiting to see how the story unfolds in the next episode. All the tracks are interlinked at this point and all of them are equally interesting. Sammi has a very intricate, gripping and meaningful script which so far has been translated on screen impressively too. We need dramas like this one to keep on reminding us that there are people out there who don’t even get the opportunity to fight for things which many of us take for granted.

Am I the only one who missed Chaudhry Nawaz in this episode? How many of you watched this episode? Do share your thoughts about it.